Tech Level Cyber Security Lesson 7 Specialist Operator Consoles, Libraries, Utility Programs, System Software

Pre-Reading recap What are the different types of software? What are the different types of system software? What are utility programs? Give some examples of utility programs What are system libraries? What are system libraries used for?

Learning Objectives explain the purpose of specialist operator consoles describe the purpose of libraries of routines in computer systems recognise and explain the purpose and features of a range of utility programs: systems backup systems optimisers disc formatters disc defragging text editor graphic editor terminal secure shell telnet for remote access remote desktop protocol (RDP).

Different types of software System Software Application Software System Programs that are needed to run the computer For example, an operating system such as Windows Application Programs that are needed to perform tasks for the user For example, word processing software

Types of system software Operating Systems Utility Programs Library Programs Translators Application Software Utility Programs Programs that perform a service to keep your computer running. E.G. antivirus, spyware removal, firewalls, file transfer, formatting, disk defrag.. Translators The software that translates your programs into machine code Library Programs Programs that tell other programs how to run (think of the external libraries in python) these are often .dll files in Windows Operating Systems The core software that allows a computer to run as an useful device. It manages the hardware, the user interface and all other software running on the computer.

What are utilities? The Operating System controls and manages the computer system Utilities provide extra functionality that make it easier to use They can be packaged as part of the Operating System or bought as stand- alone software programs

Types of utility program Utilities can be grouped into three categories: Computer security Disk organisation System maintenance

Security Utilities These include: Anti-virus software Spyware protection Firewalls Back-up and recovery programs

Anti-Virus Software A virus is a malicious computer program written to cause damage to files or inconvenience to the user Anti-virus software: Prevents viruses being installed Prevents system files being deleted or changed Detects and removes viruses that do manage to install themselves New viruses are always being invented so anti-virus software must be regularly updated

Spyware Protection Spyware are programs that secretly record what you are doing on your computer eg: key logger software Spyware records data such as: Usernames and passwords Bank account/credit card details Spyware protection software detects spyware programs and prevents them from installing themselves on your computer

Firewall Prevents unauthorised access to a computer or network from the internet Can use filtering to prevent access to unsuitable sites from a computer or network

Disk Organisation utilities These include: File management and transfer Formatting Disk defragmentation

File Management and Transfer The tools we use all the time for managing our files Move, copy and delete folders and files

Formatting We buy CDs and memory sticks already formatted If you put a new hard disk in a computer it has to be formatted in the correct way for the operating system NTFS and FAT32 are common hard disk formats you may have seen on your computer

Disk defragmentation When you save a large file it may not fit on the disk in consecutive memory locations The file is referred to as “fragmented” Retrieving data from the file takes more processing More processing means reduced performance Defragmenting the hard disk reorganises files so they are stored together Processing time reduces so performance is improved Free space is also in one place so new files do not have to be fragmented

System maintenance utilities These include: System diagnostics Cleanup tools Automatic updates

System information and diagnosis Usually provided with the operating system Provides information on how components such as memory and processors are being used When the performance is poor this can indicate which component needs upgrading The slowest component is what determines the performance overall

System clean-up tool Searches for and deletes files that are no longer needed such as: Temporary files Files created when software was installed Removes settings that are no longer needed or are wrong Frees up disk space so performance is improved

Automatic update Companies issue updates to software regularly For software that is installed on the computer, the automatic update will: Look for recent updates on the internet, Download new versions, and Install them It can be configured to do any or all of these steps automatically

Operator Consoles (System Console) The system console, computer console, root console, operator's console, or simply console is the text entry and display device for system administration messages. Examples of the system administration: BIOS Boot Loader Kernel This could be a graphical display, or a textual display.

Libraries Libraries are a collection of ready-made sub-routines that can be called by programs executing within the host operating system. For example The Office programs all have the same Print functions – there will be a system printing library that stores the code for all of the office programs (and any others) to use!

Libraries Pros Cons Dynamic Link Libraries have the advantage of making your execution (exe) file smaller as their code is only called into memory when one of their sub routines needs to run. Dynamic Link Libraries can be written by anyone so it allows people to share code within a host operating system. But in reality most DLLs used are those that come with the operating system. The disadvantage of dynamic link libraries is if they change over time. The way an exe file calls a particular sub- routine might not be correct any more. So the program appears broken when in fact it is down to the current DLL being different to the original version.

Graded Exercises Complete the graded exercises for today’s lesson. If you have answered a question in your notes circle the section and write the question above it in a different coloured pen.

Crib Sheets Using your notes, lesson resources, and the above slides create Crib sheets that you can use to revise the following topics: 2Q – The Purpose of specialist Operator Consoles 3C – The purpose of libraries e.g. routines, which are used by multiple programs 3D – The features and purpose of utility programs 3E – The role of systems management software notifying actual or impending failuers, capacity issues, and other systems and network events. E.G Monitoring, controlling and reporting on status

Pre-Reading Different Types of Software Application Software: Email Diary Spreadsheets Databases Word Processors Web Browsers Operating Systems: Purpose and Use